Maybe it’s the GLP1s, or just where we are in the ever revolving fashion cycle, but skin is IN! And it feels increasingly hard to find a way to participate in the summer spirit while maintaining a healthy body image. And I can hear you already – we don’t HAVE TO participate in every trend – something I have said to YOU multiple times. But this current fashion plane of consciousness feels more consuming than it has in seasons past. Why is all of social media half (3/4??) naked!?
Listen, power to them, but as someone who loves to participate yet also loves to be fully clothed, I’ve had to do some soul searching on where style is headed and what takeaways I want to imbibe as we enter swimwear season. So below – some extremely specific details and swim codes I’m playing with that feel fun and welcoming and a bit frisky – all while staying true to the idea that perfect glutes need not be a barrier to entry. 💓
Pet Sounds Summer
I’m feeling a Hawaiian spirit – something a bit retro in terms of print and/or shape. I think the algorithm has been set to Euro summer for so long (its fair, nothing better than the Mediterranean Sea in July) that we have been forgetting that some of the best beach inspo comes to us from the surf culture of the West coast and the farrrr West coast.
I was looking for some semblance of a pointed bikini top (clearly still thinking about Miu Miu FW25) which I accidentally stumbled upon from Else when I saw they were making a bikini in the shape of my favorite bralette. And reader, it’s fantastic. Full coverage but sexy in it’s slightly retro allure. And then I finally took a moment to fawn over the navy full bottoms and little triangle top with white trim from Prada on a recent scroll. And how about the the girly plaid from Solid & Striped I discovered on a google search for madras. Just throw a bandana in your hair and get that beach barbecue going. I LOVE the print on this Gucci bikini and the Eres is giving us it’s best Annette Funicello.
Get yourself something zebra print. Anything. A swimsuit. A shirt. A dress.
Nothing more in your face sexy than animal print so it’s really the perfect starting point to create our Summer of Skin optical illusion. Trying to put my finger on why I am craving zebra over leopard print for this moment – and I think I got it. It’s SO graphic. The aggressive black brings a bit of edge to my regular summer sarong and lightweight button down look.
The Key To Mixing Prints is a Striped Bottom
Speaking of surf culture, mixing and matching two-piece swim is a sure way to embrace the beach baby lifestyle. Very I just threw on this extra bottom from my beach bag after a quick dip. I ordered this extremely forgiving and well cut Nili Lotan bikini bottom (the top is also excellent, I recommend the full set) specifically to wear with my yellow zebra Attico top. The Attico bottoms are just not cut for this working mom. But I loved the shape and pattern of the zebra top and actually find that mixing the prints makes it less seriously sexy, more carefree.
And then I found theseeeeee!!!! A Saint Laurent boy short bottom that literally DOES NOT HAVE A MATCHING TOP. Wow. I knew I was onto something. But who knew me and Anthony Vaccarello shared a brain. I positively love this little short.
One Pieces that Give Bikini Vibes
The best way I can describe the one piece I’m loving right now is to close my eyes and imagine what Rose Byrne’s character would want to wear in the show Physical. If you haven’t seen…highly recommend. A little aerobics-coded (but clearly not a leotard), body shaping with a cinched waist and a neckline that demands you work on those posture goals. (Fixing my posture is my new years resolution and I’m really trying. 🫠)
The bare neckline makes me feel….well…bare. It shuns functionality – not for mothers of active young boys who just want to pull down your top – but for those who have passed that stage or are enjoying an adults only vacation – these are giving me naked summer without really getting undressed at all.
But for most of the time, a strapless doesn’t work for me at this phase in my life as a mother of a young boy. I need straps to hold me in for mom duty – and I’m usually on mom duty if I’m in a swimsuit these days.
There is one supreme teensy, tiny, deal breaking detail that I am obsessing over right now. And that is a really thin strap that does NOT have adjustable hardware (this is fixable at your tailor too, btw if your favorite suit is cursed with these.)
I never used to be a stickler about this. But then friend of 5 Things and Matteau designer Ilona Hamer pointed out her ultimate ick in the form of an adjustable strap on CBK’s slip dress during a scene in Love Story this past year and now I can’t unsee it. So I’ve been determined to create this long slim line down my back with my straps. It’s not the easiest to find – especially not at a forgiving price point. But Eres’s Aquarelle, my forever GOAT swimsuit does this perfectly. As does Lido’s Trentesei which I just bought and LOVE (try the pink, blue is gone sadly!)
Iconic 90s swimwear designer Laura Urbinati is doing it too, as is Oseree with the skinniest strap of all time! Tropic of C does this well, but the bottoms are waaaaay too high cut for me. If not a dealbreaker for you, worth a shot.
If you have a tailor you love, you can always get them to remove the adjustable buckle and fasten the strap in place for you on your favorite Gap or J.Crew tank. I might also do this with my Chloe suit I bought for spring break and am enjoying right along and gets a pass because it is so special in every other way.
Last but not least, Jane Birkin à la Piscine!
For the first time in a long time, I’m reconsidering the ring bikini. Some things don’t need a full explanation, and this is one of them. The feeling is RIGHT.
BONUS: 5 Coverups with character that Aren’t Ra-Ra.
If you don’t know what I’m talking about, please consider Plum Sykes’ recent observations on Sant Tropez for your reading delight. Even without reading, I’m sure you can envision the Ra-Ra dress she so perfectly describes.
While a fabulous read, it also solidified what I DON’T want in a cover up. Here are five ways to have fun with beachwear this summer that will work everywhere from the lake house to the exotic locale…. without one ruffle in sight.
Whew, we made it to the end. Fully clothed. Even though we’ve successfully worked our way around naked dressing today, I think a respite is coming. Rachel Tashjian’s newsletter for CNN last week linked this movie still (#4) and I haven’t stopped thinking about it. And then Madonna was quoted in Interview (also brought to my attention by Rachel!) saying she is sick of everyone being naked – that it has lost it’s shock value. I’m so happy for us!! In the meantime, we are fixing our posture and getting a little playful. I guess it’s not so bad out there after all.
Yours TRULY,
Becky
